Studies show teeth grinding (bruxism) affects 50% of the population. That is half of the 6.5 billion people on this planet. Most people with this condition are totally unaware of it as they only experience grinding teeth in sleep.
For those who do finally realize that they suffer from bruxism, it is usually when serious health problems related to teeth grinding start to show; yet these people are told by their doctors and dentists that the condition cannot be treated and the best way to go about is to get a teeth grinding mouth guard which they have to wear every night for the rest of their lives.
Does this sound familiar to you? I suffered from bruxism for over 20 years until I finally overcame it. The first thing my dentist advised me to do was to 'invest' in a teeth grinding mouth guard which then cost my parents a bomb. I had the custom fit mouth guard made when I was a teenager and it ended up at the back of a drawer somewhere within a week. I was salivating all over my pillow and I could hardly sleep. Not only was it uncomfortable to wear but the thought of having to put up with it for the rest of my life was something that just didn't appeal to me.
A high quality custom teeth grinding mouth guard made specially by a dentist can run up to $300-$500 these days. This is the best option because they fit according to your unique requirements making the mouth guards or splints just that much bearable in terms of comfort. Cheaper variants of under $100 can be found if you look around eBay or manage to find a do-it-yourself kit at the pharmacy.
These mouth guards are designed to protect your teeth and gums from the intense pressure generated from your teeth grinding activity but that is about all it is useful for!
Getting a mouth guard does not help stop your teeth grinding at all. It is merely a protective device. You will still be grinding away (albeit on the guard rather than your teeth) and also still be inviting future health problems.
As I and thousands of other ex-bruxism sufferers have found out, there are simple but specific approaches to overcome this condition. The solution unfortunately does not come in the form of a magic pill or product which may just explain why your dentists and doctors are not giving you the right solutions. The closest thing to a magic product you will find is a teeth grinding mouth guard and it doesn't even work.
For a lack of a better example, think of bruxism as a common fever. There's no pill you can pop into your mouth and be instantly cured. Instead, simple but specific approaches such as getting enough rest, drinking lots of water, and eating Vitamin C rich fruits help to alleviate the fever. The teeth grinding mouth guard in this picture? Think of it as the cold towel you put on your forehead.
